The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-07-02
BASHFUL BILL.
a Jolly Ride With the Widow Watson.


"Wife," said Ed. Wilbur one morn
ing as he sat stirring his coffee with
one hand and holding a plum-cake on
his knee with the other. and looking
across the table into the bright eyes of
his little wife, wouldn't ID be a good
joke 10 get bachelor Bill Smiley to take
widow Watson TO Barnum's show next
week.
"You can't do IL, Ed; he won't ask
her, he's so awful shy. Why, he came
by here the other morning when l was
hanging out the clothes, and he looked
over the fence and spoke, but when
shook out night-gown he biushed like
a girl and went away"
~ think can manage It," said Ed;
-"but III have TO lie just little. But
then it wouldn't be much harm under
the circumstances, for | know she
likes him, and he don't dislike her, but
inst as you say, he's so shy. I'll just
go over TO his place TO borrow some
bags of him, and IL l don't bag him
, before come back don't kiss me for a
week, Nelly"
20 saying Ed. started, and while he
is moving the fields we will take a
look AT Billy Smiley. He was rather a
good looking fellow, though his hair
and whiskers showed some gray hairs,
and he had got in set OF false teeth.
But every one said he was good soul,
and SO he was. He had as good "A
hundred-acre farm as any In Norwich,
with new house and everything com
Portable, and IL he wanted wife,
many girl would have jumped ut
the chance like rooster on a grass
hopper But Bill was SO bashful-al-
bottle, whom he was SO sweet on,
though he never said "boo" TO her, got
married TO old Watson, he just drew
his head in like mud-turtle into his
shell. and there was no getting him
out again, though 1t had been noticed
that since Susan had become widow,
he paid more attention TO his clothes,
and had been very regular in his at
tendance at the church the fair widow
attended.
but here comes Ed. Wilbur.
"Good morning, Mr.. Smiley"
Good morning, Mr.. Wilbur; what's
the news your wayg"
"Oh. nothing particular that know
of said Ed, "only Barnum's show
that everybody Is talking about. and
everybody and his girl are going TO.
was over to old Sockrider's last night,
and l see Gus has got new buggy,
and was scrubbing up his harness, and
he's got that white-faced colt of his as
slick as a seal. understand he thinks
of taking Widow Watson TO the show.
He's been hanging around there good
deal of late, but I'd just like to cut
him out, 1 would. Susan Is nice lit
Tie woman, and deserves "A better man
than that young pup of a fellow,
though would not blame her much IL
she takes him, for she must be dread
fully lonesome, and then she has 10 let
her farm out on shares, and ID isn't
half worked. and no one else seems 10
have the spunk 10 speak up TO her.
BY lingo. II were a single man I'd
show YOU trick or two"
so saying, Ed. borrowed some bags
and started around the corner Of the
barn. where he had left Bill sweeping
and put his ear 10 a knot-hole and lis
tened, knowing the bachelor had q
habit of talking TO himself when any
thing worried him.
"Confound that young bagriderF'
said Bill, what business has he there
I'd like TO know Got new buggy,
has hef Well. so have /, and q new
harness. too; and his horse.can't get
sight Of mine; and declare I've halt
mind .to--yes, / will I'll go this
very night and ask her 20 90 20 the
show with me. I'll show Ed. Wilbur
that amt such calf as he thinks
am, II / did let old Watson get the
start Of me in the first placer
Ed. could scarce help laughing out
right, but he hastily hitched the bags or
his shoulder and with a low chuckle al
his success. started home 20 tell the
news TO Nellie; and at about O'Clock
that evening they saw Bill go by with